HOOKED ON A FISH-HOOK.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 106, 28 January 1908, Page 2

HOOKED ON A FISH-HOOK.

CHARGE OF ILL-TREATING A DOG. ' (BY TELEGKAFH—rBESS; "SSOCIATIOK.) - Auckland, January 2". At the Police Court to-day Mr. Kottlo, S.M., gave judgment in the case, in which Thomas. Gresham, City Coroner, was. prbsocuted by the Socioty for t-h6 Prevention of Cruelty to Animals on a charge of ill-treating a fox terrier pup on December 8 last ' by causing it to be hooked on a fish-hook placed in an aperture in a fence. Having reviewed the facts established by tho eviacnce, Mr. Kettle said:— _ •• "Tho quostion is whether on those facts the defendant ought .to bo convicted ■ of 'cruelly ill-treating, abusing, or torturing' tho dog. lam of opinion that this quostion must bo answored in tho affirmative, I have considered the case cit-ed by Mr. Prendergast, who appeared for the dofendant. l havo also poruscd tho English casos, and also tho American decisions bearing on this, subject. Tho latest New Zealand case is Hazolhurst v. Tucker (Chapman, J.), 9 N.Z., L.R. uOQ,. Dccomber, 1906. These decisions \cloarly establish that persons who recklessly disregard the toolings of dumb animals, and .wilfully, wantonly, mercilessly, and needlessly cause them pain without reasonable ana adequate object or justification, are guilty of cruelty. In my opinion tlio facts in' this easo bring the defendant well within | this definition, and ho must be convicted and fined £2 with costs. This oonviction does not prejudice tho right of the owner of tho dog to claim compensation from the defendant for the damage done to the dog. (See Section . 8 and 9 of the Act.)'"